Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Friday, July 10, 2015

Should Donecker Mansion Be Demolished?

West Park Civic Association is spearheading a drive to spare the Donecker-Bronstein Mansion, located at 18th and Hamilton, from a St. Luke's bulldozer. A petition signed by over 300 supporters is asking St. Luke's to reconsider.

Starting on Saturday, supporters of the mansion are planning a daily vigil "with all of us, vigil sitters and supporters, taking selfies of ourselves in front of the mansion" and then posting it on their Save The Donacker Mansion Facebook page.

14 comments:

Anonymous
said...

If you have the time to do a survey of what sadly this hospital has demolished, you might be stunned. This beautiful home could be used as a guest residence for worldwide visiting physicians; lecture hall; reception and fundraising facility, the list is endless. Whenever a hospital moves into a city's center, look out. The wrecking ball seems not fall behind. Look also across the street on the south side of Hamilton to almost an entire city block of once beautiful twins. now gone. This hospital has no decent reason to demolish this beautiful home. What a waste of architecture and handcrafted artifacts.

I don't know if that's true for every hospital, but it's certainly true about St Luke's. They have an abysmal record of coming in and destroying neighborhoods. One needs only go to Fountain Hill to see what they think of historic buildings.

Despite all their rhetoric about wanting to be partners in the communities they serve, they don't care and can't be trusted. It's a selfish attitude that permeates their entire organization, and likely part of why they're behind LVH in terms of care.

An organization that truly cares about the community they serve would have understood the importance of the building and discussed this with the public. Instead they're pulling demolition permits and hastily dismantling parts of the building to avoid that discussion.

Despite their non profit status and lip service about caring, there just a big business using their inflated balance sheet to steamroll over everybody else.

The mitigating factor for me is St. Luke's has been the owner of the property for decades and let it go to crap. It's not like they are coming in on a white horse and doing everybody a favor. They are a corporate slumlord extracting what they need out of the property while not putting a $1 of investment into it.

Another consideration is that it's just another piece of non-taxable property and the City doesn't need anymore of those. If St. Luke's really wants a new building, they should contribute funds in lieu of the taxes they would pay for the privilege.

I see Sam Bennett said she would chain herself to the building to prevent its demolition. Mark my words, she is only using this issue and this neighborhood group to raise her profile in order to be positioned to run for Mayor if Ed P. has to step down. Already saw her on the news wearing her power red suit jacket and her trademark black slut stocking and cfm high heels rallying a crowd. She is cranking up another hustle after failing as a candidate for mayor, for US Congress and after getting run out of her high paying gig in Washington DC when those folks realized what a self-centered husler she was. Now she is back in Atown trying to cast herself as a small business owner and community activist. Funny how her small businees involves using her home as a B&B so thast her customers can pay he mortgage. Always looking for the next scam.

Hardy, Har..Har.. Like I said before a hot nut. Okay Bernie, What say you. I know your no big fan of Sam but at the same time not afraid to give credit when credit is due. Her success in Washington is well known and verifiable.She was one of the longest serving CEO in WCF history. Raised its profile among similar organizations along with raising more money than anyone in its history. Her political plans were made known to the mayor and Congressman Dent months ago. As i understand it she was impressed with the Dent meeting. Just feel that it seems like you got another Bernie Kleklac on your hands trying to create his or her 15 min of fame with the anonymous slams.